Kumbalanga olan

Delicious 'olan' holds a prime position in the majestic Kerala sadya (traditional vegetarian feast). Olan amazingly balances the flavours when the spicy and tangy pickles and the sour ginger curry hit the palette.

The dish can be prepared using a variety of vegetables. Fresh coconut milk is added in olan in some parts of Kerala. Check out this simple recipe of Malabar-style ash gourd olan.

Ingredients
500 gm ash gourd (thickly sliced)
50 gm white cowpeas 
5 green chillies
First and second extracts of milk from 1 coconut
1 raw plantain (peeled and sliced)
50 gm snake beans (cut into 1 inches pieces)
Salt as required

Preparation
Cook the ash gourd, cowpeas, plantain, and green chillies by adding some water
Drain the cooked vegetables and keep aside
In another vessel, boil the second extract of coconut milk
When the second extract boils well, add the cooked vegetables
Allow the vegetables to cook for a while in the coconut milk to soak in its flavours
Now add the first extract of coconut milk and mix well
Drizzle some coconut oil over the dish and take it off the flame.